Author's Notes: Okay people: Here's the next and last chapter..... *drum rolls*
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When Midnight Comes - Chapter 10: Finale By: Hell's Huntress (R)
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The large oak doors burst open as Serena stepped outside into the courtyard. She nearly froze upon seeing all the people gathered around to watch Robert meet his death. Numerous guards stood around him. He was standing beside one of the guards with an ax set before his throat. His hands were held tightly behind him while his legs were tied together with large ropes.
People who were passing by have been watching from a safe distance. Serena was as well. She stayed close enough for her to witness his death, but she was far enough for him to be unable to reach her. Besides, she couldn't move closer anyway. Her legs were frozen in place. Robert's death was something she had been waiting for, and now that he was actually going to die, she didn't want to do anything that might distract her. She wanted to catch every single movement that would be made once he was beheaded.
She wanted to see the weapon cut through his neck. She wanted to see the blood pour out and drip down his body. She wanted him to see her watching him so that he could realize how much she hated him. She never thought she would desire that much revenge for anyone, but she did.
" Serena, " Darien called out upon stepping into the courtyard as well.
Serena didn't move upon hearing him call her name. Her eyes remained narrowed and locked with Robert's own gaze. His eyes were burning into hers. Desire mixed with hatred were evident in his, while only hatred filled Serena's. No other feelings for him existed within her other than hatred.
" We're ready, your highness, " one of the guards called out upon seeing Darien. " Do you want him locked up or killed now? "
At his comment, Serena finally turned to face Darien. Her eyes were questioning yet demanding at the same time. It was clear that she wanted him to have Robert killed without hesitation.
" Kill him, " Darien ordered almost instantly. He didn't even have to take one look into Serena's eyes. Just seeing her turn around to face him told him everything already.
At his order, the guard raised his hand with the ax and whiped it across the air. The move was so swift and fast as if he were slicing the air itself. It only took a split second for him to cut through Robert's neck, but that didn't happen.
Robert had freed his hands out of the guard's tight grip the moment he raised his hand. With his hands finally free, he automatically raised them to block the weapon. He managed to hold the ax away from his neck, but not without hurting himself.
Everything had to be done quickly if he wanted to live. Because of this, his first instinct was to grab any part of the ax just to push it back. The mistake he made was using his left hand to block the tip of the ax. Immediately after he had saved his throat, he failed to save his hand which fell to the ground upon contact with the fatal weapon.
A scream escaped his throat upon realizing what happened. The blade had cut through his wrist. He was now left with only one bleeding arm and a hand that was rolling on the ground.
For a brief second, Serena's eyes left Robert's and fell upon the hand which was rolling towards her. She remained looking at it for a moment before looking back up to face Robert. She looked up just in time to see him half running, half crawling towards her. The ropes around his legs were falling off in certain areas. A trail of blood followed behind him. His hand exposed the bloody scraps of meat it still possesed and a piece of his bone sticking out covered in dirt.
About five guards had jumped on him to hold him down. The guard with the ax had approached him again. This time, with five other men holding him down, he couldn't escape. With a missing hand, he was helpess.
Doing the last thing he could do, he reached out for the gun he still carried with his free hand. Taking it out, he aimed the gun at Darien while flashing Serena a victorious smirk. That was his mistake.
Serena narrowed her eyes in anger at him. Right before he got the chance to shoot anyone, she reached out for his free hand and pushed it backwards. Her move so swift, it caused his hand to crack. A small groan escaped his throat as blood began to leak out of the hand she had just broken.
Upon seeing his agony, she used all the hatred she still had for him and kicked his chin, causing his head to hit against the rough ground.
" Don't think for one second that I'll let you die with a simple ax. You deserve a longer, more painful death, " she hissed while stepping on his nose in an attempt to drive his head furthur into the ground.
Pushing his head backwards with her foot, she pressed it onto the hot ground, exposing his neck. She looked up to face the guard with the ax in his hand. Just taking one look at her gaze told him everything. Gripping the ax's handle, he lifted the heavy weapon above Robert's neck.
With the gun still in his hand, Robert opened his eyes weakly. Using one weak finger, he fired the gun. At that very same moment, the ax hit his neck, sending it rolling away from his body.
A cloud of silence fell over them.
Everyone's eyes turned towards Darien who still standing. Serena was standing in front of him with her eyes frozen upon Robert's body. Hour-like seconds passed yet no one still realized what happened until Serena fell backwards.
" Serena, " Darien called out upon catching her.
His eyes roamed across her white gown in search for a wound or some sign of a bullet. In his panic, he didn't catch sight of the small red stain that was slowly spreading across her stomach. His heart was beating fast against his chest. Once his eyes finally landed upon the wound, his heart seemed to stop. His mind wasn't thinking. He couldn't think.
Silence was the only thing that escaped his lips. Agonizing moments passed before he completely realized what happened. His breath was instantly sucked in while he gripped her wrist in search of a pulse. Slowly, his breath was released once he saw Serena open her eyes.
Her chest was still rising. Her pulse was still there. She was looking at him. She was still alive, and that very knowledge almost made Darien want to collapse with relief beside her. However, he could only stare at her.
" You see, " she spoke silently between deep gasps for air. " I told you he would try something. Are...aren't you glad you listened to me, " she smirked weakly.
Darien shook his head in disbelief. " No.....someone get Jezebelle here right now, " he demanded while still keeping his eyes upon her.
" No....don't. It's no use. You know it will be worthless, " she demanded softly with a hopeless hint in her voice.
" No, it won't be worthless. What are you talking about? It's only a bullet, " Darien's voice began to shake.
" You don't understand. I want this. Besides, it's not like you won't see me again, " she smiled.
" Of course I won't see again. If you don't hold on then no one will see you again. "
" There's always midnight, " she smirked in an attempt to lighten his mood. " You.....you want to do something to actually make me feel better? "
" I'll do anything, " Darien replied breathlessly. His eyes were moist with tears that never fell.
" I-I don't want to be the Midnight Prowler anymore, Darien.....I was born that way, and I-I don't want to live that way anymore. Don't remember me. Don't do anything that might make you grieve over a death I wanted. Forget me in the day. I don't want a king to be distracted with memories when he's most needed.....just let me die, " at her last word, Darien could feel her body grow slightly cold. Her chest stopped moving, and her mouth lost all warmth.
Jezebelle walked out at that very moment, only to suddenly freeze in place. In his arms lay the pale figure of a lifeless angel dressed in white, despite the red stain that stood out. It looked like a red drop on snow, while Serena herself simply looked like a lifeless doll....perhaps a manikin.
" Then, I-I'll remember you midnight, " Darien muttered softly while kissing the limp body in his arms.
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Author's Notes: If you've noticed, I'm rather fond of ironic stories. Don't worry, if you wanted a happy ending then I'll give you one in my next chapters.....the next chapters for "Sweet Blood" that is. (Note: I'm not making any promises)
So, what do you think of that? Sad? Bad? Tell me what you think. Please pardon the typos, and thank you to all the readers.
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When Midnight Comes - Chapter 10: Finale By: Hell's Huntress (R)
*************************************************************************************************
The large oak doors burst open as Serena stepped outside into the courtyard. She nearly froze upon seeing all the people gathered around to watch Robert meet his death. Numerous guards stood around him. He was standing beside one of the guards with an ax set before his throat. His hands were held tightly behind him while his legs were tied together with large ropes.
People who were passing by have been watching from a safe distance. Serena was as well. She stayed close enough for her to witness his death, but she was far enough for him to be unable to reach her. Besides, she couldn't move closer anyway. Her legs were frozen in place. Robert's death was something she had been waiting for, and now that he was actually going to die, she didn't want to do anything that might distract her. She wanted to catch every single movement that would be made once he was beheaded.
She wanted to see the weapon cut through his neck. She wanted to see the blood pour out and drip down his body. She wanted him to see her watching him so that he could realize how much she hated him. She never thought she would desire that much revenge for anyone, but she did.
" Serena, " Darien called out upon stepping into the courtyard as well.
Serena didn't move upon hearing him call her name. Her eyes remained narrowed and locked with Robert's own gaze. His eyes were burning into hers. Desire mixed with hatred were evident in his, while only hatred filled Serena's. No other feelings for him existed within her other than hatred.
" We're ready, your highness, " one of the guards called out upon seeing Darien. " Do you want him locked up or killed now? "
At his comment, Serena finally turned to face Darien. Her eyes were questioning yet demanding at the same time. It was clear that she wanted him to have Robert killed without hesitation.
" Kill him, " Darien ordered almost instantly. He didn't even have to take one look into Serena's eyes. Just seeing her turn around to face him told him everything already.
At his order, the guard raised his hand with the ax and whiped it across the air. The move was so swift and fast as if he were slicing the air itself. It only took a split second for him to cut through Robert's neck, but that didn't happen.
Robert had freed his hands out of the guard's tight grip the moment he raised his hand. With his hands finally free, he automatically raised them to block the weapon. He managed to hold the ax away from his neck, but not without hurting himself.
Everything had to be done quickly if he wanted to live. Because of this, his first instinct was to grab any part of the ax just to push it back. The mistake he made was using his left hand to block the tip of the ax. Immediately after he had saved his throat, he failed to save his hand which fell to the ground upon contact with the fatal weapon.
A scream escaped his throat upon realizing what happened. The blade had cut through his wrist. He was now left with only one bleeding arm and a hand that was rolling on the ground.
For a brief second, Serena's eyes left Robert's and fell upon the hand which was rolling towards her. She remained looking at it for a moment before looking back up to face Robert. She looked up just in time to see him half running, half crawling towards her. The ropes around his legs were falling off in certain areas. A trail of blood followed behind him. His hand exposed the bloody scraps of meat it still possesed and a piece of his bone sticking out covered in dirt.
About five guards had jumped on him to hold him down. The guard with the ax had approached him again. This time, with five other men holding him down, he couldn't escape. With a missing hand, he was helpess.
Doing the last thing he could do, he reached out for the gun he still carried with his free hand. Taking it out, he aimed the gun at Darien while flashing Serena a victorious smirk. That was his mistake.
Serena narrowed her eyes in anger at him. Right before he got the chance to shoot anyone, she reached out for his free hand and pushed it backwards. Her move so swift, it caused his hand to crack. A small groan escaped his throat as blood began to leak out of the hand she had just broken.
Upon seeing his agony, she used all the hatred she still had for him and kicked his chin, causing his head to hit against the rough ground.
" Don't think for one second that I'll let you die with a simple ax. You deserve a longer, more painful death, " she hissed while stepping on his nose in an attempt to drive his head furthur into the ground.
Pushing his head backwards with her foot, she pressed it onto the hot ground, exposing his neck. She looked up to face the guard with the ax in his hand. Just taking one look at her gaze told him everything. Gripping the ax's handle, he lifted the heavy weapon above Robert's neck.
With the gun still in his hand, Robert opened his eyes weakly. Using one weak finger, he fired the gun. At that very same moment, the ax hit his neck, sending it rolling away from his body.
A cloud of silence fell over them.
Everyone's eyes turned towards Darien who still standing. Serena was standing in front of him with her eyes frozen upon Robert's body. Hour-like seconds passed yet no one still realized what happened until Serena fell backwards.
" Serena, " Darien called out upon catching her.
His eyes roamed across her white gown in search for a wound or some sign of a bullet. In his panic, he didn't catch sight of the small red stain that was slowly spreading across her stomach. His heart was beating fast against his chest. Once his eyes finally landed upon the wound, his heart seemed to stop. His mind wasn't thinking. He couldn't think.
Silence was the only thing that escaped his lips. Agonizing moments passed before he completely realized what happened. His breath was instantly sucked in while he gripped her wrist in search of a pulse. Slowly, his breath was released once he saw Serena open her eyes.
Her chest was still rising. Her pulse was still there. She was looking at him. She was still alive, and that very knowledge almost made Darien want to collapse with relief beside her. However, he could only stare at her.
" You see, " she spoke silently between deep gasps for air. " I told you he would try something. Are...aren't you glad you listened to me, " she smirked weakly.
Darien shook his head in disbelief. " No.....someone get Jezebelle here right now, " he demanded while still keeping his eyes upon her.
" No....don't. It's no use. You know it will be worthless, " she demanded softly with a hopeless hint in her voice.
" No, it won't be worthless. What are you talking about? It's only a bullet, " Darien's voice began to shake.
" You don't understand. I want this. Besides, it's not like you won't see me again, " she smiled.
" Of course I won't see again. If you don't hold on then no one will see you again. "
" There's always midnight, " she smirked in an attempt to lighten his mood. " You.....you want to do something to actually make me feel better? "
" I'll do anything, " Darien replied breathlessly. His eyes were moist with tears that never fell.
" I-I don't want to be the Midnight Prowler anymore, Darien.....I was born that way, and I-I don't want to live that way anymore. Don't remember me. Don't do anything that might make you grieve over a death I wanted. Forget me in the day. I don't want a king to be distracted with memories when he's most needed.....just let me die, " at her last word, Darien could feel her body grow slightly cold. Her chest stopped moving, and her mouth lost all warmth.
Jezebelle walked out at that very moment, only to suddenly freeze in place. In his arms lay the pale figure of a lifeless angel dressed in white, despite the red stain that stood out. It looked like a red drop on snow, while Serena herself simply looked like a lifeless doll....perhaps a manikin.
" Then, I-I'll remember you midnight, " Darien muttered softly while kissing the limp body in his arms.
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Author's Notes: If you've noticed, I'm rather fond of ironic stories. Don't worry, if you wanted a happy ending then I'll give you one in my next chapters.....the next chapters for "Sweet Blood" that is. (Note: I'm not making any promises)
So, what do you think of that? Sad? Bad? Tell me what you think. Please pardon the typos, and thank you to all the readers.